The DUP’s Diane Dodds and the UUP's Jim Nicholson have finally been re-elected as Northern Ireland MEPs.

Mrs Dodds reached the quota on the seventh round at the King’s Hall in Belfast on Tuesday after a marathon count, followed by Mr Nicholson. Martina Anderson retained her MEP seat on Monday.

Mr Nicholson said: "I don't think any of us will forget these two days.

"They have been long, and a bit of a white-knuckle ride at times, but it has been a very good election."

The length of time, however, led to criticism that vote counts seem to take so long in Northern Ireland.

A delighted Jim Nicholson of the UUP celebrates his re-election as MEP

Mrs Dodds’ husband Nigel, who is North Belfast MP and DUP deputy leader, was scathing of the Electoral Office, branding the count a “disgrace and a complete shambles”.

He added: “I think it is a disgrace that once again the Electoral Office has operated things here at a count which has made Northern Ireland look a complete shambles in terms of counting votes.”

Chief electoral officer for Northern Ireland Graham Shields said the particular way the count had developed – with a relatively high turnout of almost 52%, the need to factor in 10 candidates and the requirement to recount all Mrs Anderson’s ballots in order to distribute her surplus – had not been anticipated.

He insisted lack of counting staff was not the issue, noting that 270 had been employed. Mr Shields said the episode underlined the need for electronic vote counting in Northern Ireland.